A potentially tough break for the playoff-bound Avalanche as their potential Calder Trophy candidate Matt Duchene has left the game in the first period against Chicago this evening with a torso injury and will not return to the game.

Duchene leads all rookies in scoring this season with 24 goals and 55 points and is being counted on heavily to help the Avalanche as they make their return to the playoffs this season. The Avs are destined for a first round match-up in the playoffs with either the San Jose Sharks or the Chicago Blackhawks. The drama level of a potential series with the Blackhawks just got ramped up a little bit.